What is the name of the theory that suggests the media have little effect on citizens?

• A. Agenda-setting
• B. Minimal effects theory
• C. Cultivation theory
• D. Uses and gratifications

Answer: (B)

Minimal effects theory holds that media have limited direct influence on citizens; audiences are active interpreters who bring their own beliefs, social context, and interpersonal discussions to how they receive and process messages. Because of this, media messages tend to reinforce existing attitudes or influence behavior only in conjunction with other factors, rather than causing broad, uniform change. This view contrasts with theories that assign stronger power to media: agenda-setting argues media shape what topics people think about, cultivation suggests long-term heavy exposure can alter perceptions of reality, and uses and gratifications emphasize that people actively seek out media to satisfy personal needs. So the idea that the media have little direct effect on citizens aligns best with minimal effects theory.